How to Get Cat Pee Smell Out of Clothes

If you’re a cat owner, you know the struggle, cat pee is one of the most persistent, pungent, and hard-to-remove smells. Unlike other pet accidents, cat urine contains high concentrations of uric acid, which clings to fabric and keeps releasing its awful odor every time it gets wet again.

I once made the rookie mistake of leaving my laundry on the floor, and my cat, Rose, saw it as an open invitation to “claim” it. Thinking a regular wash would fix everything, I tossed the clothes straight into the machine with extra detergent. Big mistake. The moment I pulled them out, I was smacked in the face with a wave of ammonia so strong I nearly passed out. 

Lesson learned:

Cat pee doesn’t just wash out, it fights back. Don’t worry there’s hope.

You just need the right cleaning process to completely break down the urine crystals and remove the smell for good.

Why Is Cat Urine So Hard to Remove?

Cat pee contains:

• Urea: This is what makes cat pee sticky and cling to fabrics. If not cleaned properly, it leaves behind residue that attracts dirt and bacteria.

• Urochrome: This gives urine its yellow color, which can cause stubborn stains on clothes. Without proper treatment, fabrics can develop a permanent discoloration.

• Uric Acid Crystals: These microscopic crystals are the main reason cat pee smells lingers. They bond with fabric fibers and reactivate with moisture, causing the odor to return even after washing.

Most detergents only mask the smell, but these crystals reactivate when exposed to moisture, so the odor can keep coming back. To fully remove it, you need an enzyme cleaner that breaks down uric acid.

Step 1: Act Fast – Blot and Rinse

If the pee is fresh, grab paper towels or a clean cloth and blot as much urine as possible. Don’t rub, it pushes the urine deeper into the fibers.

Next:

• Rinse the area with cold water (hot water can set the stain and odor).
• Avoid regular soap or detergent at this stage; it won’t break down uric acid.

Step 2: Pre-Treat with an Enzyme Cleaner

This is the most important step! Enzyme cleaners contain good bacteria that eats away all the uric acid and fully eliminates the odor.

Best Enzyme Cleaners for Cat Urine:

• Nature’s Miracle Stain & Odor Remover (Amazon)
• Simple Solution Cat Stain & Odor Remover (Chewy)
• BUBBAS Super Strength Enzyme Cleaner (Walmart)

How to Use:

• Pour a generous amount of enzyme cleaner directly onto the stain.
• Let it sit for at least 30 minutes (or overnight for old stains).
• Blot up any excess with a towel.

Step 3: Soak in Vinegar & Baking Soda

Once the enzyme cleaner has done its job, it’s time for natural odor neutralizers. Vinegar and baking soda work together to break down any remaining urine compounds and eliminate lingering smells.

What You Need:

• 1 cup white vinegar (acidic, breaks down smells)
• ½ cup baking soda (absorbs remaining odors)
• Cold water

How to Soak:

• Fill a bucket or sink with cold water.
• Add the vinegar and baking soda.
• Submerge the clothes and let them soak for at least 30 minutes (or overnight for stubborn smells).

Step 4: Machine Wash (No Detergent Yet!)

Now, put your clothes in the washing machine, but skip detergent for now, it can trap urine particles in the fibers.

Settings:

• Cold water cycle
• Add 1 cup vinegar instead of detergent
• Extra rinse cycle for thorough cleaning

This ensures that all remaining urine crystals are fully broken down before adding detergent.

Step 5: Machine Wash Again (With Detergent!)

Now that the urine is neutralized, run a second wash using a strong odor-fighting detergent.

Best Laundry Detergents for Pet Odors:

• Arm & Hammer Plus OxiClean Odor Blasters (Walmart)
• Tide Odor Rescue (Petco)
• Zero Odor Laundry Odor Eliminator (Amazon)

How to Wash:

• Use warm water (helps remove lingering residue).
• Add your usual detergent.
• Throw in ½ cup baking soda for extra odor removal.
• Use an extra rinse cycle to remove all traces.

Step 6: Air Dry in Sunlight

DO NOT use a dryer yet! Heat locks in urine odors, so if the smell isn’t 100% gone, drying will make it permanent.

• Hang the clothes outside in direct sunlight.
• Sunlight naturally breaks down bacteria and odors.
• If you have to dry indoors, use a fan and keep it well-ventilated.

What If the Smell Still Won’t Go Away?

Try Hydrogen Peroxide:

• Mix 1 part peroxide with 2 parts water.
• Soak clothes for 30 minutes.
• Wash again.

Use Activated Charcoal:

• Put your clothes in a sealed bin with charcoal bags overnight.
• Charcoal absorbs stubborn odors.

Spray with Vodka:

• Cheap vodka breaks down odor molecules.
• Lightly mist the fabric and let it air dry.

How to Prevent Future Accidents

• Check for Medical Issues: If your cat suddenly starts peeing on clothes, a vet check might be needed.
• Keep Litter Boxes Clean: A dirty litter box is a common reason cats go elsewhere.
• Try a Litter Attractant: Products like Dr. Elsey’s Cat Attract Litter (Chewy) help encourage proper litter box use.
• Use a Pet-Safe Deterrent: A citrus spray (cats hate citrus!) can keep them away from laundry piles.

Final Thoughts: Fresh, Clean Clothes Again!